Built-in clothes hamper



Nov. 5, 1963 M. N. KOHN 3,109,586

' BUILT-IN CLOTHES HAMPER Filed Dec. 8, 1961 INVEN TOR. MARION N. Konu,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,10%,586 BUILT-IN CLOTHES HAMPER Marion N. Kuhn, Spenccrviile, Ohio Filed Dec. 3, I961, Ser. No. 157,967 I Claim. (Cl. 232--43.I)

This invention relates to containers for storing soiled clothes and the like, and more particularly to such a container which can be built into a wall or partition of a building.

For obvious reasons, both sanitation and neatness, it is desirable to provide containers for storing soiled clothing or linens, and it is certainly to be preferred that these containers be closed. The simplest means for storage would be a separate container, but this has the disadvantage that it may be unsightly, and it always takes up otherwise usable space. That is unless of course the container is kept in some relatively out of the way place, in which case, it is also out of the way and inconvenient for storage purposes. On the other hand, while built-in storage containers remove some of these disadvantages, they create many others. For example, if the unit is fully enclosed, means must be provided to prevent articles placed therein from getting lodged behind the container or in some other inaccessible place. Furthermore, installation may be complicated and difiicult, particularly if the device is not built-in at the time the building is originally constructed.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of my invention to provide a receptacle for soiled clothes, linens, or the like which can easily be installed in a wall or partition of a building, and so placed in an optimum location with a minimum of expense and trouble.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device, the construction of which realizes a considerable I saving in materials.

It is still a further object of my invention to provide a fully built-in receptacle which includes a separate opening for deposit of articles, and means for preventing articles so deposited therein from falling behind the conta-iner itself.

These and other objects of my invention which will be apparent to the skilled worker in the art upon a reading of this specification and an examination of the accompanying drawings, I accomplish by that certain construction and arrangement of parts of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment.

Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of my device in the closed position adapted for one room service;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of my device in the open position as adapted for two room service; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 1, I shall briefly describe my invention. Basically, it comprises a frame 10, which serves to mount the various components, and can be constructed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, or wood. At 11, I have indicated a conventional, rectangular receptacle, open at its upper end, and provided with a pull handle 12. It is hingedly mounted to the frame 16 by means of hinges 13. It will be understood that when the receptacle I1 is in the position shown in FIGURE 2, its center of gravity will be to the right of its pivot point (the hinges I3), and the device will tend to the closed position. But, when pulled forward into the open position shown in FIGUM 1, the center of gravity will be shifted to the left of the pivot 3,10%,535 Patented Nov. 5, 1963 ice point, so that the receptacle will remain open for easy removal of its contents.

In the upper portion of the frame 10, I provide an opening 14 through which soiled clothes or the like may be inserted. In the drawings, I have shown. this opening as closed by a swinging door 15, secured to the frame by means of hinges 16, but it will be understood that any other conventional closure could be used. I have found that the construction illustrated is most satisfactory since the door is easily opened with only one hand, and yet will return by gravity to the closed position.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2, I extend the back wall of the receptacle upwardly a short distance to form the flange 17, shown in the drawings as slightly bent back. When the receptacle is tilted forward to the open position, this flange abuts against the lowermost edge of the swinging door 15 (as illustrated in dotted. lines) thereby preventing its being opened. This expedient prevents articles from being introduced while the receptacle is not in a position to receive them; i.e. it prevents articles from falling behind the receptacle when it is open.

I intend for the device of my invention to be installed in a wall or partition so that the receptacle 11 will just fit between the studding. For this reason, I find it unnecessary to provide side or rear walls for the frame It However, I have found it desirable to provide a top covering or hood 1%. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, it is a four sided element (top, back, and two sides) which may be bolted or welded to the frame It as at 20. This protective hood serves several purposes. First of all, it helps to keep dirt, insects, insulation, and the like which may be found within the Walls of a building out of the receptacle. Secondly, it acts as a fire wall in that it cuts down the air supply and eliminates drafts. This feature would be especially important should my invention be used for the storage of oily rags, paint cloths, and the like.

In FIGURE 3, I have shown my invention adapted for two room service. In this case, the same device described above is mounted in a wall or partition separating two rooms. In addition, I provide a frame 10a on the side of the device opposite the main frame It hingedly carrying a door 15a. As shown in the drawings, a modified hood 18a is used. In its modified form, the hood comprises only three sides (a top and two sides) which is secured by any suitable means to both the frame It and the frame Illa. As shown, the top of the hood may slope downwardly from above each door.

In addition, I provide a cloth or similar diaphragm 21, one end of which is secured to the top rear edge of the receptacle I1 and the other end of which is fastened to the frame Itla just below the door opening 15a. In this instance the flange 17 should be eliminated so that it will not obstruct the opening of the door 15 when the receptacle is tilted forward. As shown, when the receptacle is tilted forward, the diaphragm 21 will be stretched across the opening, and clothes inserted through the door 15:: will fall onto the diaphragm, and cannot fall behind the receptacle. They may then be removed through either of the doors. If articles falling on the diaphragm are not removed, their presence will immediately become apparent since such articles will prevent the complete closure of the recetpacle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4, I have illustrated another arrangement for a diaphragm wherein one end is secured to the receptacle and the other end is secured to the hood at a point well above the top of the receptacle. This construction is particularly useful if the device of my invention is to be placed at the bottom of a clothes chute or the like, where it would be possible for someone on an upper floor to drop articles into the chute when the receptacle is in the open position. As will be.

enemas evident, when the diaphragm 21 is drawn to the extended position upon movement of the receptacle to the opened position, it will slope downwardly and receive any articles deposited from above. With the diaphragm sloping in the manner illustrated, any articles deposited thereon will be caused to fall into the receptacle as it is moved toward the closed position. It will be understood that where this embodiment of the invention is employed, the hood will be opened at its top, such opening (not shown) defining the lowermost end of a suitable clothes chute.

It will be readily apparent that similar considerations apply with respect to the device adapted for two room service. In this event, however, it is necessary to remove the article deposited on the diaphragm through either of the doors 15, 15a. It will be further evident that modification can be made in my invention Without departing from its scope or spirit. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A container for soiled laundry adapted to be mounted in a frame defining a chute; said container comprising a receptacle having a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of side walls, a bottom, and an open top; said receptacle being hingedly mounted in said frame in the path of said chute and titltable from a closedposition wherein said open top is disposed in the path of said chute to an open position wherein said front wall and said open top are to one side of the path of said chute; and a flexible diaphragm connected to said rear wall and to said frame adjacent said rear wall when said open top is in the path of said chute, said diaphragm being of a length to span the path of said chute; whereby when said receptacle is tilted to said open position to permit the removal of soiled laundry therefrom, said diaphragm will span the path of said chute and prevent any soiled lanndry from falling through said chute to a position betwen said rear wall and said frame.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,511,982 Schilling Oct. 14, 1924 1,595,263 Thornberry Aug. 10, 1926 1,860,224 Bode May 24, 1932 2,036,794 Derman Apr. 7, 1936 2,703,200 Burbank Mar. 1, 1955 FGREIGN PATENTS 78,224 Denmark Oct. 4, 1954 1,203,943 France Aug. 3, 1959 

